With both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid going into next week's El Clasico in terrific domestic form, superstar Lionel Messi has spoken about what he expects from Los Blancos in the much-anticipated derby.
The Catalan giants have won nine of their past 10 LaLiga matches, while their eternal rivals Real have tasted victory in five of their past six games in the Spanish top flight.
The first Clasico of the 2019/20 campaign was rescheduled for 18 December, after political unrest in the city of Barcelona forced the league to move the fixture from its original date in October.
Speaking ahead of the clash next Wednesday, Messi, who is the leading goalscorer in Clasico history with 26 strikes, is expecting to go up against a very tough Los Blancos.
"They have shown it in the last matches, in La Liga and in the Champions League.
"Barca vs Madrid and Madrid vs Barca are always special matches.
"It doesn't matter how the teams arrive, although it's true that we both go into it at a good time."
To add to his 26 strikes against Real, Messi has also assisted 14 strikes in 39 Clasicos.
